Portable data support with a break-off mini-chip card

ABSTRACT

A portable data carrier with a break-out mini smart card embedded therein. The mini smart card is separated from the remaining card body by a free punch extending over substantial parts of the mini smart card. According to the invention, another rated breaking line is provided within the mini smart card, preferably consisting of a perforated line and permitting further reduction in size of the mini smart card.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable data carrier with abreak-out mini smart card according to the preamble of claim 1.

In known mobile radio systems, for example a GSM mobile radio system,the SIM (subscriber identity module) can be present in two differentcard formats. Mobile phones intending frequent change of the SIM usuallyemploy the ID-1 card format since the large card simplifies handlingduring a change. For mobile phones intending a change of SIM only rarelyor not at all, or for very small mobile phones, the so-called plug-inSIM in the ID-000 format has become established. In order to make iteasier to provide substantially prepersonalized smart cards for mobileradio use, smart cards for mobile radio use are normally provided with apunching permitting the plug-in (mini smart card) to be broken outwithout much trouble.

From the German print DE-A 40 07 221 or the European print EP-A 0 535436 it is known to dispose a mini smart card in the ID-000 format in acard with the standard ID-1 format the mini smart card be beingsurrounded by a punching, i.e. a free punch, with only one or more barsbeing retained to hold the mini smart card in the card body.

European patent application EP-A 0 495 216 furthermore discloses an IDcard with a microprocessor, the microprocessor with its contact surfacesbeing disposed on a standard smart card (ID-1 format) at the place fixedby the standard. The microprocessor and its contact surfaces aresurrounded on three sides by a free punch in the form of a plug-in (minismart card in the ID-000 format) while the fourth side of the carrierhas hinge-like notching.

This makes it possible for the standard card to be used with the plug-innot broken out in mobile radio devices which intend frequent change ofthe SIM, while the break-out plug-in is used as a “mini smart card” insmaller mobile radio devices or devices usually not intending a changeof SIM.

With increasing miniaturization of mobile radio devices, however, theproblem arises that even the mini smart card in the ID-000 format isstill too large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the problem of the invention to provide a smart cardwith a plug-in which permits further reduction in size of the mini smartcard, all card formats be being reliably separable from each other or itbeing readily possible to remove the plug-in from the remaining cardbody, while at the same time plug-in and card body form a stable unit incase the plug-in stays in the remaining card body.

This problem is solved starting out from the features of the preamble ofclaim 1 by the characterizing features of claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are stated in the dependentclaims. The basic idea of the invention is that the plug-in in theID-000 format contains a rated breaking point which permits furtherminiaturization of the mini smart card by removal of part of theplug-in. This additional rated breaking line can be realized bynotching, a free punch with bars, etc.

Said rated breaking line is realized in advantageous fashion by aperforation. Perforation constitutes a more stable connection thannotching so that the plug-in in the ID-000 format can be broken out ofthe card in the ID-1 format without breakage of the rated breaking linefor further miniaturization.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail withreference to FIGS. 1 to 2, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a card with a rated breaking line in the plug-in,

FIG. 2 shows a card with two rated breaking lines for plug-ins ofdifferent sizes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows card body 1 with plug-in 2 containing an integrated circuitand contact surface 4. The contour of plug-in 2 is defined by free punchor punching 3 within remaining card body 1 and connected therewith onlyby one or more bars 6. Bars 6 are designed so as to permit plug-in 2 tobe easily broken out of card body 1. Within the plug-in there isfurthermore a rated breaking line in the form of perforated line 5 whichallows further reduction in size of the plug-in by breaking offremaining piece 8. Perforation 5 constitutes a more stable connectionthan connecting bars 6 so that perforation 5 does not break when plug-in2 in the ID-000 format is broken out of card body 1. After the plug-inis broken out, a further reduction in size of the mini smart card can beobtained by bending on perforated line 5.

FIG. 2 shows a smart card similar to FIG. 1 whereby plug-in 2 in theID-000 format is separated from remaining card body 1 on three sides byfree punch 3 and a connection with the remaining card body exists on thefourth side only by means of perforated line 7. Perforation 7 hassmaller perforation holes and a lesser distance between the holes sothat perforated 1 line 7 breaks before perforated line 5 when − pressureis exerted on the plug-in.

The size and density of perforations 7 is dependent on the desiredstability of the completed card. Advantageously, free punch 3 extendsaround the corners of the fourth side and perforation 7 yields astraight line in order to make it easier to break out mini smart card 2.

This connection of plug-in 2 with remaining card body 1 has higherstability compared to the prior art. When slight pressure is exerted onplug-in 2 this does not lead to a change of position of the plug-in withrespect to the surface of remaining card body 1 since the connectionwith card body 1 exists throughout the thickness of the card body.Nevertheless, perforations 7 produce a rated breaking line which causesthe plug-in to break out upon firmer pressure. The inventive solutionleads substantially to two stable states. In the first the plug-in isdisposed in a firm position with respect to the remaining card body,while in the second the plug-in is broken out.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable data carrier (1) comprising abreak-out mini smart card (2), the mini smart card (2) being largelyseparated from the remaining card body by a free punch (3) surroundingmost of the mini smart card, wherein a rated breaking line (5) isdisposed within the mini smart card (2) for further reducing the size ofthe mini smart card (2).
 2. A portable data carrier according to claim1, wherein the free punch (3) extends over three sides of the mini smartcard and a fourth side has a perforation (7).
 3. A portable data carrieraccording to claim 2, wherein the free punch (3) extends around thecorners of the fourth side and the perforation (7) extends along astraight line.
 4. A portable data carrier according to any of claim 1 to3, wherein the rated breaking line (5) is formed by a perforated line.5. A portable data carrier according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the ratedbreaking line (5) has higher strength than the perforation (7).
 6. Aportable data carrier according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the mini smartcard is connected with the remaining card body by at least one bardisposed on the side opposite the perforation (5).
 7. A portable datacarrier according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the rated breaking line (5)is formed by a perforated line that has a higher strength than theperforation (7).
 8. A portable data carrier according to claim 7,wherein the mini smart card is connected with the remaining card body byat least one bar disposed on the side opposite the perforation (5).